Hair-fastener.



Nd, 647,747. Patented Apr. 17, |900.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT E, GIBSON, OEIIAMILTON, OIIIO.

HAIR-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 647,747, dated April 17, 1900.

Application tiled February 13, 1899. Serial No. 705,391. (No model.)

scribed manner, as illustrated in the accom-` panying drawings, in which` l Figure l is the plan of a forked hair-pin embodying my improvement; Fig. 2, a transverse section on the dotted line of Fig. l; Fig. 3, a plan ofa pin consisting of a single prong; Figs. 4 and 5, longitudinal sections of a prong, showing details of construction.

In the drawings, 6 represents the prong of the pin and consists of a small'metal tube` terminating at one or both ends in a solid point 7. Opening 8 is formed through one side of the tube-a short distance above'its point and at an acute angle to the plane of the axis of the prong. Slot 9is formed through the same side of the tube and near the rear end of the prong. Slide 11 consists of a piece of iiat or half-round spring-wire and isslightly curved in its middle portion to press lightly against the inner sides of the hollow prong, wherein it is movable.

The upper or rear extremity of the slide 11- is shaped so as to extend outward into or through the slot or opening 9 and to constitute a projection or thumb-piece by which the slide is operated. The front'or bottom portion of the slide 11 is turned back upon itself at 13 to form a yielding barb 14, which is curved upwardv and outward, so as to pass through the opening 8, from which it normally projects, as shown in Fig. 4.

In the point end of the prong and beyond the opening 8 there is formed a socket or recess 20, in which is situated a coiled spring 15, and a movable block or plug 16, interposed between the end of the slide Il and the spring, and this spring forces the plug against and moves the slide in a rearward direction within the prong to the extent permitted by slot 9. This rearward movement of the slide carries the barb outwardly through opening 8, as shown in Fig. 4, to engage with the hair of the wearer and prevent the accidental removal of the pin therefrom. By means of lug 12 the slide may be moved in a forward direction to the limit of slot 9, which results in barb 14 being pulled within the hollow of the prong through opening 8 and until its point is concealed and prevented from engaging with the hair, so that the pin may be easily and smoothly removed therefrom.

The expansion of the coiled spring tends to move and maintain the slide in its most rearward position and with the barb projecting from the opening, as shown in Fig. 4. In this position the pin may be easily inserted within the. hair, but not easily removed until the l barb is again concealed within the prong, as described.

In a hair-pin of the conventional forni, as shown in Fig. 1, which resembles a fork and consists of two prongs, it is only necessary to provide-one of the prongs with a slide4 and barb. The barb, however, should project as nearly in a direction toward the other prong as the inward position of the lug on the same line therewith will permit convenient access lthereto lof the thumb to move the slide.

. Some pins are jeweled, as shown at 17, Fig. 3, and are of much value. Others are valuable as heir-looms, and it is 'desirable that The lossrof even they `should not get lost. p the most ordinary hair-pins is of too-frequent occurrence and consequent embarrassment to the wearer.

Having fully described my improvement, what I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A hair-pin having a hollow pointed prong in which are formed openings, 8 and 9, leading into the hollow of the pron g,` the said hollow extending beyond the opening, 8, toward the pointed end of the prong to form a springrecess, a slidemll, located in the hollow of the prong, and having a projection extending out through the upper opening, 9, and having one end turned back upon itself and formed into a yielding barb, 14, the end of which lies in the lower opening, S, a coiled spring, 15, located in the said spring-recess, and a bearingblock, 16, interposed between the spring and the turned-back portion of the slide, substantially as set forth.

ROBERT F. GIBSON.

Vitnesses:

ROBERT S. CARE, W. A. HUME. 

